TAT/ARA DISTRICT COUNCIL --Tatiara the Good· Country
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TAT/ARA DISTRICT COUNCIL --Tatiara the good· country ABN 69 784 251 661 30th January 2017 Chief Executive Officer: File 4/14/3 Robert ]. Harkness Committee Secretary Joint Standing Committee on Migration PO Box 6021 Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600 Dear Sir/ Madam; Re: Submission on Migration Tatiara Council is located in the Limestone Coast region of South Australia. The Tatiara includes the towns of Bordertown, Keith, Mund~lla, Padthaway and Wolseley. It is one of the largest councils in South Australia with an area of 6,476 square kms and a district population of around 6,600. The economy of the district is firmly based on agriculture, chiefly the production of grains such as barley, oats and wheat, and stock such as sheep, cattle and pigs. In some areas there is extensive irrigation, which has facilitated the growing of vineyards, small seeds, flowers, vegetables and olives. JBS Australia an export meat processing works is located just out of Bordertown. They are our largest employer, 440 staff, and they process up to 5,500 lambs and sheep a day. We have a wide range of people from a number of different countries working in the Tatiara. Most of the people who come to the Tatiara on a range of different visas are working at the JBS Meatworks. Of their 440 employees around 70% come from overseas from a diverse range of countries including Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Syria, Princmal Qffice ../3 Woo/shed Street Sudan, South Africa, New Zealand, China etc. A lot of the Afghani P.O. Box 346 men have moved here from Adelaide, Queensland and from NSW. A Bordertown, SA. 5268 lot of them have families living in Pakistan and the conditions they Phone: (08) 8752 1044 are living in can be quite dangerous for women. Fax: (08) 8752 1442 Email: ofjice@>tatiara.sa.gov.au The reason for having so many new settlers is that the Tatiara has a Website: www.tatiara.sa .gov.au very low unemployment rate of around 2.6 %. This has been the case for over 10 years with our rate being much lower than the rest of the South East, less than the rest of South Australia and much less than Sub-Qffice the Australian average. Hence our employers have problems finding 34 Hender Street extra staff when they expand their businesses. We also have a number P.O Box65 of businesses who need seasonal workers (backpackers) like our Keith, SA. 5267 vineyards, seed processors and vegetable growers. Phone: (08 ) 8755 3347 Fax: (08) 8755 3354 N:\Departments\Administration\Ceo\Letters\20 17\20170 I 30 - Immigration Submission.doc We want these new Tatiara residents to stay in the Tatiara and if this is to happen council and other levels of government need to assist them in any way we can to bring their families out here. There is always the risk that if they are reunited they will leave for elsewhere but without their families they are not likely to stay here in the Tatiara for the longer term. Obviously having these new settlers stay for longer terms assists local employers as well as they do not get the turnover of staff which creates a need for more advertising, inductions, training etc and less production until they get up to speed. JBS' s export plant at Bordertown employs the most sophisticated robotic processing technology. It is one of the largest employers in the Limestone Coast and is extremely important to the economy of the Tatiara, the Limestone Coast and of South Australia. Without having access to visa holders from overseas JBS would not be able to staff its operation at Bordertown. In our experience it is essential that federal and state governments work together by providing grant funds so that organisations like the Australian Migrant Resource Centre can work with the local community and overseas workers so that they can assimilate into the community and life in Australia. The Tatiara now has around 52 different nationalities with many of those being new arrivals, either refugees or skilled migrants who work at Bordertown. Coming from overseas to a small rural community where they do not know anyone or what is available is a big issue for them. We do not have the government officers here to assist them so they rely heavily on assistance from the AMRC. JBS have improved their employee turnover rate but it is still around 40% which means that there is a constant stream of new people moving into town to work at the meatworks. These people need assistance in filling out forms and finding out information about the district and its services. The AMRC employee based at Bordertown, a 4 day per week position, averages around 120 contacts per month. Ways that AMRC are assisting them include: • Providing three English classes per week in a timely manner in regards to shifts being worked and for those that are not eligible for TAFE • Assisting with many settlement/visa issues of with their workforce - leading to an increased retention rate • Being a presence at the induction phase has lead to assisting clients settle initially into Bordertown • Social and emotional support for migrants which leads to a happier and more content workforce • Supporting the Bordertown service providers - medical clinic, schools, post office etc. care for the migrant community which decreases negativity and improves community relationships. This flows onto the community perception and feelings towards JBS and their workforce The Tatiara Local Area Settlement Coordination Committee is made up of a number of reps from various government departments, schools, Tatiara Council, AMRC, local N: \Depaitments\Administration\Ceo\Letters\20l7\20170 l 30 - Immigration Submission.doc 2 employers and community groups. It meets on a regular basis to discuss and find solutions to issues affecting migrants. Issues like: • Citizenship - Very lengthy processing time, the length of application time and the need for training to prepare clients for the first test (rather than waiting for three failed attempts). ARMC continues to provide education sessions but noted that resources are required and hence funding should be provided by the Commonwealth. There are 60-70 people getting regular training over a long period of time. The situation also poses problems for people trying to bring their families to Bordertown, as citizenship is required to do this, which also hampers regional development. • Isolation - The men are very lonely and have little interaction with the broader community as they do not speak English. It is hoped that the recently developed AMRC community hub in Bordertown will assist. Its aim is around reducing social isolation and increased participation of new arrivals through recreational, interaction and educational activities. Importantly the project the AMRC is running aims to engage existing community organisations and new so as to enhance inclusive participation. We believe this is an excellent opportunity to assist new arrivals access a space where they are comfortable and feel they have a place to gather and build in confidence accessing other clubs and recreational facilities' creating a sense of belonging and participation. The AMRC officer's recent report to this committee included the following: • JBS Induction program - visiting JBS nearly ·weekly to meet new staff Council haz1e provided an information/welcome bag to the Tatiara. Positive outcomes of this partnership. • Australian Cultural and Legal ,;lasses - Continue weekly at the ARMC. One class member from Eritrea is the only person to receive his citizenship in the year that I have been here. Feedback sought and received through Eugenia as to status regarding citizenship applications - timelines etc. Mental health of clients constantly being monitored and clients supported. • English classes - Classes up and running twice a week. Well supported • Supporting Primary School -Principal has asked me to report on initiati'ves put in place at Primary school to better understand and deal ·with some issues that have been arising. There is a strong ivorking relationship with schools and AMRC. These initiatives include: 'y Employing 550 from Pakistan ~ Referrals to STTARS y Education Session by STTARS to staff };> Consultations with DECD community Liaison Officer )"" Facilitating various family meetings to discuss issues • Education sessions - Various sessions conducted - SAPOL, Waste management, Tax information (offered), IOM, AMRC open day, • Census - Large operation supporting CALD community through this process. ABS employed three Afghani Special Field Officers. Assisted over 100 people complete their forms In August. N :\Depmtments\Administration\Ceo\Letters\2017\20 l 70 130 - Immigration Submission.doc 3 • Road Safety - Tracey Member of Ta tiara road safety group and attended the SE road Safety Forum. Continue to develop initiatives to improve road safety and licencing issues. This includes education sessions and support for supervised driving hours for clients on learners permits • Community Picnic - Approximately 200 people attended picnic in July. Strong partnership with Tatiara District Council and AMRC • Working Conditions for Backpackers - Assisted young backpackers work through various issues. Liaised with Council and Fair ioork • Country Cabinet - Visited Bordertown in September 2015. Afternoon tea held here with Premier, Minister and about 70 members of the Migrant community. Opportunity for people to ask questions and then attend forum in council's civic centre • Rotary walk, run or ride event and Lutheran longest Lunch. Two community events held in October 2016. Both events were well attended by the Migrant community. Once Tracey provided links to key community member's the migrants felt comfortable to attend these events. Evidence of strengthening community relationships. The Bordertown settlement experience over the past 3 years is an example of a coordinated and collaborative partnership approach which has retained workers in the town and which has had no issues even though most of this new settlers workforce is made up of lone men, who are of different religious and ethnic groups.